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JUDGES STAND By Charles Hatton Hancock Advances Worthy Cause Urges Jobs for Turfs War Veterans Grooming Blenheims for Aug. Sales Claibornes Influence Far-Reach ing PARIS, Ky., April 6. Your correspondents midwestern vagabonds led him today to a hospitable colonial mansion which is, appropriately enough, on Pleasant Street in this ancient Bourbon County hamlet. It is the home of one of the worlds foremost thoroughbred breeders. Arthur Boyd Hancock. He came here several decades ago from Virginia, where he had operated the Ellerslie Stud in Albemarle Counfcv. Kl- lerslie was founded by his father, R. J. Hancock, a captain in the Confederate Army and the breeder of such celebs as Eole. Morello and Russell. The nucleus of Claiborne, on the edge of town here, was â– owned by Mrs. Hancock, who was Miss Nancy Clay. The Clays owned literally thousands of acres of lush blue grass in Bourbon County. They also came from across the ridge, in Virginia. That was back in the 1780s, when Kentucky still was, in fact, "The Dark and Bloody Ground." The Clays nearest neighbors were miles away and they lived in a fortified stockade until the Indians were driven from the wilderness. So, you see, there is nothing really strange about the fact the Hancocks reside in this obscure village. Their ancestors saw it first, so to speak. During our visit, our genial host touched perceptibly upon many subjects of importance in current racing. One rather original topic he introduced struck us as especially timely and worthy. "The war has taken thousands of men and boys from the racing stables and breeding farms," he said, "and many will return injured, in some cases incapacitated for resuming their former duties. We employers in racing should think about this and find .omething these boys are able to do. The first thought of those entering the service is: Will I have a job when the war is over?." Hancock thinks the programs offered at New York tracks last season ideal, in many particulars. He spoke of the comparatively small percentage of claiming races, the numerous overnight events attaching ,000 purses, and the high quota of filly and mare contests. If Jack Campbell will pardon a little gratuitous kibitzing, the writers only criticism of his books last season was that they enabled so many winners to repeat in the same type of race. The imposition of stiffer penalties might "share the wealth." The master of Claiborne is a stickler also for classic" races, of the weight-for-age type so plentiful and exalted in England and so comparatively negligible here. He inclines to think, along with so many other owners and breeders, 130 pounds is quite enough to ask a first-class handicapper to carry. And he believes American racing would be benefited were there more races for fillies and mares below the first flight. The yearling output at Claiborne and Ellerslie has made "Hancock Night" the main event at the annual auctions. He will have 56 colts and fillies, barring providential handicaps, to offer at Lexington during the summer ahead. These include several sons of the popular Blenheim II. Recently he purchased a half dozen or so desirable matrons who are this spring dropping foals by Whirlaways sire. These foals will augment the Claiborne consignment in 45, in the natural course of events; Along with all his neighbors we have heard digress on the matter, the Kentucky Parisian thinks Whirlaway embodies the necessary attributes of a worthwhile progenitor. Not the least of these salient factors is intestinal fortitude," as proven In the race track test, the most exacting crucible of all. Whirly was never quick to learn, but patience on the part of his handlers finds him making a promising beginning in his new role of sire. Hancock is in the enviable position of having a number of young producing daughters of Sir Galla-had III. and Blenheim II., among the 200 mares at Claiborne and Ellerslie. The tall Virginian has been Americas leading bloodstock breeder seven of the last ten years. Since 1930 sires standing at Claiborne have led the list six seasons. Sir Gallahad III. was the premier progenitor in 30, 33, 34 and 40. Chatterton headed the list in 33 and Blenheim II. in 41. It goes without saying Claibornes influence on American bloodstock during the last couple of decades will endure beyond the present generation of turfmen and perhaps as long as horses race.
